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where to find the businesses and merchants that
catered to the needs of African-Americans.
Thanks BlackFrederick.com!"
- B Patterson
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There Is No Place Like Home: BlackFrederick.com
By BlackFrederick.com Youth Corner Editor Ikea Wilson
Published July 01, 2008
The African-American race has always been and is still perceived to be inferior. In many cases, we
are considered to be diminutive, unworthy, and ignorant. We are not included in documents that
founded the American nation such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, or the Bill of
Rights. We were not included in politics, only to be assassinated the first time around.
We were not involved in entertainment and Hollywood, only receiving recognition for portraying the
typical drug dealer, stripper, or crack fiend. We are not acknowledged for our achievements. Our
struggles and day-to-day battles with poverty, racism, poor education and unemployment are buried
under the lies and pretenses of a Great America, while our cries in agony and pain are shushed. Our
full figured women with hips, thighs, and breasts known as thick and beautiful to us, are called fat
and unaccepted in society. Our big noses and full lips are labeled as primitive and are ridiculed. We
are not accepted. So who will accept us?
We will.
A black press is needed. No one can relate to us, but us. We need those magazines that entail
different hair relaxers and fashion debates. We need that newspaper to keep us posted on the latest
reports of how our people are doing. Both the good and the bad—the truth. Otherwise, the truth would
be buried beneath blame and statistics. We need to hear a recognizable voice on radio where slang
and accents are conventional. We need to see people of the same skin color on television that gives
us hope that we can make it.. We need a place where discussing the daily tribulations of being an
African-American is okay—where our voices will not be silenced. We need shoulders to cry on, the
same worn, run-down shoulders like our own. We need to uplift each other as we cry together, pray
together, rejoice together, love together, and stay together. Many forces are trying to pull us apart,
trying to shatter the strength and power and influence we are known to have. They know if we come
together, there will be nothing stopping us. And to many, that is a fear.
A black press keeps the Black people connected with one another. Magazines, newspapers,
television, or radio helps bridge the many gaps between us and keeps us united. A place where we
call home. A place where full-figured women are admired, and strong black women are honored. A
place where a Black man can lay his sorrows and run-down soul away from Corporate America. A
place where a child can learn and appreciate his/her culture for what it truly is—not poisoned by the
false portrayal of music videos and fast money. A place where one does not have to secretly admire
the American Dream, afraid of being ridiculed; rather he/she can have the drive to go chase that
dream. A place where Black achievements are praised, and not mocked of mediocrity or just not
being “good enough.” A place where the voice of our people keeps us informed, aware, and inspired.
No one can relate to us, but us. A Black Press is needed.
Thank you BlackFrederick.com.
~Ikea Wilson~
"Nothing in Life is to be feared. It is only to be understood." ~Marie Curie
Ikea@blackfrederick.com
By BlackFrederick.com Youth Corner Editor Ikea Wilson
Published July 01, 2008
The African-American race has always been and is still perceived to be inferior. In many cases, we
are considered to be diminutive, unworthy, and ignorant. We are not included in documents that
founded the American nation such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, or the Bill of
Rights. We were not included in politics, only to be assassinated the first time around.
We were not involved in entertainment and Hollywood, only receiving recognition for portraying the
typical drug dealer, stripper, or crack fiend. We are not acknowledged for our achievements. Our
struggles and day-to-day battles with poverty, racism, poor education and unemployment are buried
under the lies and pretenses of a Great America, while our cries in agony and pain are shushed. Our
full figured women with hips, thighs, and breasts known as thick and beautiful to us, are called fat
and unaccepted in society. Our big noses and full lips are labeled as primitive and are ridiculed. We
are not accepted. So who will accept us?
We will.
A black press is needed. No one can relate to us, but us. We need those magazines that entail
different hair relaxers and fashion debates. We need that newspaper to keep us posted on the latest
reports of how our people are doing. Both the good and the bad—the truth. Otherwise, the truth would
be buried beneath blame and statistics. We need to hear a recognizable voice on radio where slang
and accents are conventional. We need to see people of the same skin color on television that gives
us hope that we can make it.. We need a place where discussing the daily tribulations of being an
African-American is okay—where our voices will not be silenced. We need shoulders to cry on, the
same worn, run-down shoulders like our own. We need to uplift each other as we cry together, pray
together, rejoice together, love together, and stay together. Many forces are trying to pull us apart,
trying to shatter the strength and power and influence we are known to have. They know if we come
together, there will be nothing stopping us. And to many, that is a fear.
A black press keeps the Black people connected with one another. Magazines, newspapers,
television, or radio helps bridge the many gaps between us and keeps us united. A place where we
call home. A place where full-figured women are admired, and strong black women are honored. A
place where a Black man can lay his sorrows and run-down soul away from Corporate America. A
place where a child can learn and appreciate his/her culture for what it truly is—not poisoned by the
false portrayal of music videos and fast money. A place where one does not have to secretly admire
the American Dream, afraid of being ridiculed; rather he/she can have the drive to go chase that
dream. A place where Black achievements are praised, and not mocked of mediocrity or just not
being “good enough.” A place where the voice of our people keeps us informed, aware, and inspired.
No one can relate to us, but us. A Black Press is needed.
Thank you BlackFrederick.com.
~Ikea Wilson~
"Nothing in Life is to be feared. It is only to be understood." ~Marie Curie
Ikea@blackfrederick.com
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